Andrew Jones

[Full funding: UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26 plus £2,000), tuition fees, and bench fees covered. Visa and associated costs not funded.] The Oxford Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Training Programme (ILESLA) at Oxford Brookes University offers a prestigious 4-year, full-time PhD studentship designed for both UK/EU and international applicants. This programme is supported by the BBSRC and NERC through a Landscape Award, with additional support from a partnership that includes the University of Oxford, Pirbright Institute, Diamond Light Source, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, and The Open University. Students admitted to the programme will benefit from a comprehensive training structure that includes taught interdisciplinary skills, two exploratory research projects in the first year, and a 12-week professional internship to gain valuable work experience. After the initial year, students select a 3-year research project, which must include a supervisor from Oxford Brookes University. Rotation projects are required at both Oxford Brookes and a partner organisation, providing exposure to a wide range of research environments and expertise. The studentship covers full tuition fees, bench fees, and a generous UKRI stipend (£20,780 for the academic year 2025/26 plus an additional £2,000). Please note that visa and associated costs are not funded. The programme is open to applicants holding or expecting to obtain a UK Bachelor’s Degree with at least a 2:1 classification or overseas equivalent in a relevant academic subject. International applicants must meet English language requirements, including a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.5 and no score below 7.0, issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre. Applications for 2026 entry are processed through the University of Oxford application system, with a single entry route for all partner institutions. Shortlisted candidates will typically be interviewed once for entry into the programme. The application deadline is 8 January 2026 (12:00 midday UK time), and the programme commences in September 2026. For further details, including Open Day information and application instructions, visit the Oxford Brookes course page or the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions Course Page. General enquiries can be directed to [email protected], and programme-specific queries to Associate Professor Andrew Jones ([email protected]) or Professor Verena Kriechbaumer ([email protected]). This studentship is ideal for candidates seeking advanced interdisciplinary training in life and environmental sciences, with opportunities to collaborate across leading UK research institutions and gain professional experience through internships and rotation projects.

[Full studentship: UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26 plus £2,000), tuition fees, and bench fees covered. Visa and associated costs not funded.] The Oxford Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Training Programme (ILESLA) at Oxford Brookes University offers a prestigious 4-year, full-time PhD studentship designed for both UK/EU and international applicants. This innovative programme, funded by BBSRC and NERC, provides comprehensive training across the full spectrum of biological and environmental sciences. The studentship includes a competitive UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26 plus an additional £2,000), full coverage of tuition and bench fees, and access to a wide range of research facilities and partner institutions. Visa and associated costs are not included in the funding. The ILESLA programme is structured to foster interdisciplinary skills and research experience. In the first year, students undertake two exploratory research projects with prospective supervisors, allowing them to experience different research environments and topics before selecting their main 3-year research project. A 12-week professional internship is also integrated into the programme, providing valuable work experience and enhancing employability. Students admitted through Oxford Brookes University must complete one rotation project at Brookes and another at a partner organisation, ensuring broad exposure and collaboration. The PhD project must include a supervisor from Oxford Brookes University. The ILESLA partnership includes the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Pirbright Institute, Diamond Light Source, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, and The Open University. This collaborative network offers students access to world-class research facilities and expertise. The programme is supported by a Landscape Award from BBSRC and NERC, with additional support from within the partnership. Applicants must hold or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor’s Degree with at least a 2:1 classification or an overseas equivalent in a relevant academic subject. UKRI eligibility criteria apply. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency with a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (minimum overall score of 7.5, no component below 7.0) or an approved equivalent. For further information on equivalency, applicants should contact [email protected]. Applications for 2026 entry are processed through the University of Oxford application system, with a single entry route for all partner institutions. Shortlisted candidates will typically be interviewed once for entry into the programme. The application deadline is 8 January 2026 (12:00 midday UK time), and the programme commences in September 2026. For more details on the application process, open days, and programme structure, visit the Oxford Brookes course page or contact the programme directors, Associate Professor Andrew Jones and Professor Verena Kriechbaumer.